Rep. Troy E. Nehls and Madeleine Dean Introduce the Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04)introduced bicameral and bipartisan legislation, the Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act. This bill would make several technical statutory clarifications to close loopholes in current child sexual abuse criminal offenses that hamper holding perpetrators accountable. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) previously introduced the Senate version of this legislation.

“As a father to three daughters and a former Texas Sheriff, I firmly believe that any existing loopholes in United States federal law that allow child predators to escape justice should be closed immediately,” said Congressman Nehls. “The abuse of a child in any form is completely unacceptable. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of Congress in introducing legislation that will allow law enforcement and the justice system to hold those who abuse our children, here in our own country and abroad, accountable.”

“As lawmakers, we have the solemn duty of protecting our nation’s children from kidnapping and sexual exploitation,” said Congresswoman Dean. “Under current law, there are loopholes that allow bad actors to evade prosecution. This legislation clarifies and strengthens federal law to ensure offenders are held accountable. I’m grateful to Congressman Nehls, Senator Booker, and Senator Cornyn for their partnership to ensure our kids are kept safe."

In 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, which made a series of recommendations for Congress to strengthen federal enforcement of child exploitation laws. Congressman Nehls’ and Congresswoman Dean’s Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act would incorporate those recommendations and would clarify the DOJ’s authority to prosecute perpetrators by:

• Closing the kidnapping loophole in 18 U.S.C. § 1201, clarifying that kidnapping of a child can occur by deceiving a third party, including a child’s guardian, and clarifies the circumstances where consent can be used as a defense.
• Closing the international travel loopholes in 18 U.S.C.§ 2241(c) and 18 U.S.C. § 2423, clarifying that traveling to sexually abuse a child includes crossing international lines and that committing a sexual abuse felony against a child while abroad is a crime.
• Closing the sexual contact loophole in 18 U.S.C. § 2443, clarifying that causing a child to commit a sexual act themselves is also a crime.
• Closing the attempt loophole in 18 U.S.C. § 2244, clarifying that attempting to commit the sexual contact offenses in Section 2244 is also a crime.
  • In Sections 2241, 2242, and 2243, the sexual abuse offenses defined provide liability for attempted as well as completed offenses, as do sexually assaultive crimes defined elsewhere in Title 18, while the sexual contact offenses defined in Section 2244 do not. This legislation corrects the omission by adding liability for attempted offenses to Section 2244.

This legislation is supported by the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Rights4Girls, National District Attorneys Association (NDAA). Hope for Justice, Street Grace, the 3Strands Global Foundation, and the National Children’s Alliance (NCA).

Read the Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act HERE.